Sarnia Legion Branch 62 President Ron Realesmith has been removed from the role, pending the results of an Article Three complaint filed against him.
Ontario Provincial Command Executive Director Pam Sweeny told Sarnia News Today via email that John Surins is now the president.
Sweeny said the complaint against Realesmith was first filed with her and has been sent to the Constitution and Laws Committee to decide if it has been properly lodged.
She said she isn't able to discuss specifics.
"However under Article III Section 304 i. Where a complaint has been properly lodged in accordance with subsection 304 c and pending the final disposition of such complaint, the president of the command may deprive the member against whom the complaint is lodged, of clubhouse privileges and remove them from office or position held but removal only from those offices and positions held and positions held over which they have authority. Such deprivation and/or removal is not appealable."
Sweeny said if the complaint is withdrawn or found to be unsubstantiated upon completion of the hearing, the member shall be immediately reinstated for all purposes and any removal from office is deemed to have never occurred.
Realesmith served as president of Sarnia Legion Branch 62 from 2023 to 2025, and after being briefly succeeded by Les Jones, was re-elected in 2026.
In a social media post on Thursday morning, Past President Les Jones posted a statement in support of Realesmith.
"Many of you have seen the latest developments with the president’s role at the Sarnia Legion. Because this matter is under investigation, we will wait for that process to be completed. Our Legion has seen incredible success in the last few months, and we will continue with that momentum. I stand with Ron and look forward to working with him again in short order," said Jones in the post.
He went on to state that in the meantime, the Sarnia Legion will function as normal, and Remembrance Day, candlelight vigil, and poppy pinning will proceed as planned.
